Mumbai

Veteran singer-music director Bappi Lahiri -- who wielded the baton at the age of 17 -- passed away ate on Tuesday night, an official said.

He was 69 and breathed his last in the Criticare Hospital where he was admitted for certain post-Covid issues. "He had been in the hospital for one month where he was been treated for his weak lungs, we discharged him on Monday. Later on Tuesday night he was brought back again, we couldn't revive him this time," the doctor treating Bappi Lahiri said.

Born in West Bengal, Lahiri first composed music for a Bengali film 'Daadu' and launched his Bollywood career with a film, 'Nanha Shikari'.

He shot to global fame with his chartbusting music for "Disco Dancer" and the song 'Jimmy, Jimmy, Aaja, Aaja...", and later the superhit music for "Zakhmee", "Lahu Ke Do Rang".

Prominent Bollywood personalities have expressed shock and condoled the demise of Lahiri, who was fondly known as 'Bappi Da' in the industry.

Bappi Da was so endearing in person. But, his music had an edge. He introduced a more contemporary style to Hindi film music with Chalte Chalte, Suraksha & Disco Dancer.
🕉 Shanti Dada🙏 You will be missed

— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) February 16, 2022

Yaad Aa Raha Hai Tera Pyaar 💔
Rest In peace #BaapiLahiri ji 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/J2HojqHas2

— Isha Koppikar (@ishakonnects) February 16, 2022

Music composer and singer #BappiLahiri passes away at a Mumbai hospital this morning. Bappi Lahiri is known for delivering popular songs in several films of late 1970s-80s like Chalte Chalte, Disco Dancer & Sharaabi. pic.twitter.com/0ALlNL8vie

— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) February 16, 2022